Monday, July 21, 2014

Update: Colorado Rockies reach out to fan who emailed corporate sponsor about dissolving relationship with club

Dick Monfort

If one thing is certain, it is that the Colorado Rockies don't like bad publicity. They get upset when sports talk radio shows rip on them, and they don't like it when the Denver Post says anything negative.

That was the main reason why I wrote about an initiative that might have a sliver of a chance of forcing changes in the Rockies front office. Last Wednesday I wrote about an idea to not boycott the Rockies by not purchasing tickets and going to games, but instead, reaching out to corporate sponsors and telling them that it is time that they quit supporting the Rockies.

It was less about trying to force change than it was about making the Rockies see that fans aren't going to take this type of behavior from this ownership group and front office. The Rockies, while they are a private enterprise, have an obligation to listen to their fans, who not only have loyally supported this club since 1993, but supported a tax that helped build the Rockies their beautiful ballpark that produces so much revenue for the club.

When I wrote the piece, I expected snide comments about how ridiculous the idea was and how no one would ever do this, and how corporate sponsors wouldn't care. Instead, I got inundated with Rockies fans who were eager to take a shot at this idea. One fan in particular, Kevin Doran, emailed me with a list of Rockies sponsors and as much information about how to contact those sponsors.

I was shocked at his dedication. He gave me a great place to start. However, I didn't expect what I received next. On Friday, Kevin reached back out and told me that not only had he emailed the contact that he found from Comfort Dental, but that a high-up official from the Rockies, not Dick Monfort, but someone close to that level, reached out to set up a meeting to discuss the email within an hour of him pushing send on his original note to Comfort Dental.

The meeting between the two will take place on Wednesday, and if I am guessing, Kevin will get a lecture on how this isn't the way to go about voicing disapproval and that he should use other means, rather than calling out corporate sponsors.

However, what this situation shows is that the idea works. The Rockies taking quick action shows that it hit a sore spot for them. When was the last time a fan refused to attend games in protest and a member of the front office reached out to that fan? When was the last time a media member suggested that fans stop going to games and the Rockies tried to squelch the idea? However, one fan sends one email to one corporate sponsor and he receives a call within an hour.

Rockies fans have had their hands tied. Losing 100 games won't do anything to help Dick Monfort make a huge decision because, simply said, he doesn't know enough about baseball to realize the significance of losing 100. Even if he did, he wouldn't know what to do if he didn't have Dan O'Dowd to tell him how to think about baseball.

The only answer is to make Monfort realize that fans aren't happy about the way things are going. If fans are irate enough to contact his sponsors, the bread and butter of this team's revenue, then it might be time to save face and make changes just to appease the fans.

If one email made an impact, what if 100 people sent a simple email to a few of these sponsors? It wouldn't take even one of the sponsors pulling money back in 2015, even the threat of it might force the issue for the Rockies.

It is time for Rockies fans to find out. If you are willing, pick three or four of the companies that Kevin Doran sent to me. Write them a respectful, yet direct email about being offended that they would sponsor an organization in which the owner disrespects his fans, even going to the point of telling them not to come or that the team should leave town. When called out, this same owner denies that he meant what was clearly stated in the email. Make it clear that what Monfort did was offensive and that aligning their brand with him is a black mark on their business.

Again, the key is to be respectful. Fans should be positive about the company and what they do. It isn't the brand that fans are upset about, it is the Rockies, and the Rockies alone. The company that sponsors the Rockies hasn't done anything wrong, but they should be told that their strong reputation in the community should make them avoid aligning with the Rockies.

20 comments:

Sad to say that part of my motivation for not tweeting and/or watching the games is not really work, but the frustration that it feels like Groundhog Day from the Rockies from year to year. At least the Rockies are aware that this is a problem. But like you said, until the corporate sponsors actually start pulling out, a lecturing is all that will happen.

The Rockies do not understand that word of mouth is what brings revenue to their pockets. We pay for the ultimate price, whether it be direct in ticket sales, or to other corporations who sponsor the Rockies. And if they don't have a clear goal of winning, the team will suffer. Think of all the Yankees fan loyalty is because that team has winning as a goal yearly.--Frank/@druidlove

David why I think your on the right track here and this move would be impact full but hard to track or quantify the implications. the major impact would be to support the team but not ownership by everyone wearing black to a home game and organizing it that not one person spends money on a concession item. I mean not one beer not one hot dog not one soft drink not one souvenir or program. Think about how impact full that would be and would be a complete eye opener to the top accountant there that they made a big zero in concessions for a game. There would be no denying it at that point. That would be the ultimate middle finger in the air towards management and if fans were powerful enough to get this done then ownership would have to stand up and pay attention and know that the fans really do have a say so on where the revenue comes from.

I buy mini game plans each year to give to clients and their friends / families. It is so bad right now that I can't even give them away. Since the Rockies aren't too concerned with how the product affects them, how about how it affects us. A bad business decision that I probably won't make again.

Good article. I never complain or want to cause any trouble but I just sent two emails out (Quiznos and Comfort Dental). I am to the breaking point and I feel like something will have to change eventually.

The words definitely need to be crafted carefully. I think the point isn't that the sponsor is bad, or that the Rockies as a whole aren't worth supporting. Rather, that the owner has offended fans with his statements and they, as a company, shouldn't support an owner who has disrespected his paying customers.

I am willing to try ANYTHING to try and push the ownership to make long-needed changes. I will pick out 3-4 sponsors and send them a professional, yet blunt message. The Rockies are now the worst team in MLB and are the laughing stock of the majors...yet AGAIN! It is not just ownership and management though, I blame the players themselves quite a bit. Management pampers them like little boys...even babies. Then the players do the same! I'll bet anyone $20 Cuddyer will be "shut down" in the end of August, just like he was last year! I am truly amazed at how many millions these players are paid to hang out and do nothing. The worst part is, I don't think they could care less. Look at Belisle saying he's OK with his continual shelling and losing games, as long as "he knows he's doing all he can." Somebody needs to get in these primadonnas faces! It's truly pathetic!Scott Nelsonnelsonfinancial@msn.com

This communication is in regards to your sponsorship of the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club. As I am sure you are well aware, the team has not been playing very well this year and although injuries are a large part of that, the team simply plays lazy baseball. Every night there is a number of errors recorded and mental errors that are not part of the box score. For example, Carlos Gonzalez made a bad base running decision just this last night that cost the Rockies a out. Now, I don't mind bad baseball, it's the lazy and simple small ball challenges that continue to plague this team that vexes me.

On top of the team playing the game, the real reason I have chosen to boycott your product is the leadership of the entire organization. Dick Monfort is quoted as saying, "If you don't like the product, don't come!" (I added the punctuation for ease of readability.) That in itself wouldn't stop me from buying your amazing product but the man continually answered emails and gave interviews that showed his loyalty to his business managers is more important than his allegiance to his customers, the people that purchase the tickets and concessions to view his entertainment product. THAT is the main reason I have to turn my love of your whiskey to a different source. As a business owner myself, I've had to fire managers that didn't get the job done. I actually looked at myself as the failure of that employee but a bad decision on my part doesn't give me the right to stick it to my customers.

I am very sorry but I will no longer be purchasing the fantastic Stranahans products until you pull your sponsorship with the Colorado Rockies or they make drastic changes. They are just too embarrassing to this great state we live in.

I've been saying for years that we the fans need to do something. This is a start....Monfort and O'Dowd need to go!!! Ever since I heard Monfort reply to a question of what team he would like to emulate in the majors and his reply..none..I want to do my thing...His thing doesn't work!!!

I have been an 85% er since I moved to CO in 2006.. That's about how many games I've either watched, been at or listed to on KOA. I consider myself a true Rockies Fan but this year is Killing ME! I agree with almost everything said in this post. The head honchos in the FO only understand $$ signs. If they don't fluctuate beyond the breaking point they dont see anything wrong and not much will change. Walking out on a game or two is like stubbing their toe.. It will sting for a minute or two and then the pain goes away. You (we) have to hit them where it hurts most. Not that im just going to turn in my King Soopers card and never shop their again but if we a do a few little things it will add up quickly and maybe,, maybe someday we'll have an organization we can all be proud of. As things currently are, its embarrassing to watch a front office put on a face for the fans as if we're all idiots. Its down right shameful. Take Pittsburgh for example. A few years back they were the laughing stock of MLB. They made a number of hard choices and seat changes. Add some fresh air, mix in a dash of self respect, a good MGR (Take a wild guess who) and fast forward a few season Walla!, 2.5 games out of first and record tix sales. Nuf Said

We had 10 season tickets starting on Day One. First it was the crooks from Ohio. Then McMorris going belly-up. At least he cared. Now we've got Charlie the drunk and Dick the dick. I stopped going in '97. I don't want to hear about their "small market" problem. They typically lead the league in attendance. I don't want to hear about the altitude. Deal with it. O'Dowd sucks and it must be Dick on the receiving end.

About Me

Born and raised in Colorado, I have followed the Rockies since their inception. I am a freelance writer who covers the Colorado Rockies for the Colorado Springs Gazette, doing their Rox/Sox blog. I have also covered the team for INDenverTimes.com, a spin off of the former Rocky Mountain News. Some of the best days of my life have involved the Rockies.